Richmond: Citizen's sharp eye leads to arrest of two men

RICHMOND -- An alert citizen in a neighborhood watch group called police after spotting a suspicious car on her street, a decision that led to the arrests of two men, police said Monday.

The person noticed an unfamiliar car in a driveway in the 4800 block of Santa Rita Road just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Richmond police Sgt. Nicole Abetkov said. A short time later, a van showed up at the same residence.

The home belongs to the treasurer of a neighborhood council, an organization similar to a neighborhood watch, Abetkov said. That prompted the neighbor to think something might be amiss and call police, she said.

When officers arrived, they discovered the first vehicle had been reported stolen by the California Highway Patrol. Police arrested the driver, 21-year-old Victor Hernandez, on suspicion of vehicle theft and probation violation, Abetkov said.

Police did not immediately identify the make and model of the car.

Police also talked with the driver of the van, which officers searched after the driver consented, Abetkov said. Officers reported finding methamphetamine and two bottles of prescription pills in the van, she said.

The driver of the van, 46-year-old Derek Hicks, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and narcotics and possessing burglary tools, Abetkov said.

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Both men were taken to County Jail in Martinez. Hicks was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail. Hernandez, accused of violating his probation, was not eligible for bail.